The number of tuberculosis cases in Germany also increased last year. As the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced, a total of 4,481 cases of the disease were reported in 2023 – after 3,931 cases in 2021 and 4,082 cases in 2022.
The number of cases in which the tuberculosis bacteria were resistant to the drugs used also increased last year. A total of 208 such cases were registered. The RKI attributes this primarily to the immigration of people from Ukraine. Tuberculosis, and drug-resistant tuberculosis, is much more common there than in Germany.
The number of tuberculosis cases in Germany had already increased in 2015 and 2016 after many years of decline. After that, the number of cases initially decreased again and then stagnated, which was probably also related to the reduced international mobility during the corona pandemic.
RKI President Lars Schaade said tuberculosis was “internationally, but also in Germany, still a disease of great relevance to public health.”
In the vast majority of cases, tuberculosis can be cured with medication. People who have prolonged, close or repeated contact with people with open pulmonary tuberculosis are primarily at risk of infection. The transmission of tuberculosis pathogens is facilitated by cramped living conditions, poor room ventilation and late diagnosis. In the case of a latent infection, the disease can be prevented through preventative treatment.
The number of tuberculosis cases in Germany also increased last year. As the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced, a total of 4,481 cases of the disease were reported in 2023 – after 3,931 cases in 2021 and 4,082 cases in 2022.
The number of cases in which the tuberculosis bacteria were resistant to the drugs used also increased last year. A total of 208 such cases were registered. The RKI attributes this primarily to the immigration of people from Ukraine. Tuberculosis, and drug-resistant tuberculosis, is much more common there than in Germany.